Come along to the mental health art project Centrepieces' latest exhibition and be inspired, moved and enlightened.
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| The gallery with the sculpture 'Mediation' centre-stage. (Image: Dawn Tomlin) |
The Stables Art Gallery, Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA15 1PQ. 25 April - 24 May
I’m sitting typing this on Sunday morning with the London Marathon on the telly in the background. As ever, it’s always inspirational to see so many people braving themselves against April drizzle to run, have fun and raise money for so many deserving causes. Of course, having national TV coverage helps, so I’d like to take the opportunity to sing the praises of an equally deserving (if not so well publicised) charity-based event I attended on Saturday 25.
The Stables Gallery in the
picturesque surroundings of Hall Place, a very big house in the country on the
edge of Bexleyheath, is the venue for the latest art exhibition by
Centrepieces. Inside, you’ll find a truly diverse and impressive range of
artwork, brought to life in an equally impressive variety of media, taking in
oils, acrylics, watercolours, textured paste, collage, ink and pencil, ink and
thread, charcoal, glitter, buttons – yes, buttons – sculpture and photography. When
you consider the high standard on display, it becomes even more remarkable when
you learn that it’s been realised by people who’ve had, or have, mental ill
health.
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| The opening event on Saturday 25 April. (Image: RF) |
That’s what Centrepieces is for: it’s
primarily an organisation for people who wish to engage in art who’ve suffered
from mental illness, although membership is also open to individuals who have
an interest in, or understanding of, art and mental health. Crucially, the
Centrepieces experience is a proven and significant factor in helping patients
recover through self expression, which in turn builds confidence and self
belief. And, happily – as you can see from now until 24 May – deliver brilliant
art inspired by subjects as varied as Liam Gallagher and Lewis Carroll.
Centrepieces was founded in 1999 by local
artists who had all experienced mental health issues and, after being
established with a £5,000 award from the National Lottery, was based in
Crayford for over ten years. With financial support from Oxleas NHS Trust, in
June 2014 Centrepieces moved to its new premises at the Lodge in Hall Place,
continuing to develop its program of activities: helping people grow as
artists, improve their artistic skills and give them the chance to exhibit and
sell their work. There’s also volunteering, which I’ve recently put myself
forward for.
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| John Davey, Jane Parish & Guy Tarrant at the unveiling of the Nest. (Image: RF) |
This atmosphere of mutual support and
personal development is very encouraging, as is the work Centrepieces does in
the community. To name a few, there’s been The Worrier statue in Crayford
Riverside Gardens, kinetic sculpture with children of the Vietnamese Community
Centre, the Emotional Spiral installation at Pinewood House and, officially
opened on Saturday, the Nest sculpture in the grounds of Hall Place. As someone
who’s always had a belief in the strength of communities, large and small, it’s
great to see stimulating community arts projects like these flying in the face
of modern austerity.
The Lodge is an ideal setting in
which to encourage art. If, like me, you’ve got ongoing mental health issues, the
minute you arrive there after turning off the busy main road into Bexleyheath,
the abundance of floral greenery and air of calm in the grounds and surrounding
grasslands immediately makes you feel settled and want to be creative. It
couldn’t be a better home for Centrepieces.
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| Dawn Tomlin's performance art piece 'Don't Look at Me.' (Image: RF) |
What I really find inspiring and
heartening about this latest exhibition, and the charity in general, is that the
artists have overcome severe difficulties, largely by being empowered through
art. Chatting to the members of Centrepieces and reading through the Artists’
Profiles available at the gallery, you’re immediately struck by their
honesty. Tony Bennett, ‘a functioning alcoholic and drug addict’, credits
Centrepieces with bringing ‘art back into my life’, to the extent that ‘the
concentration and enjoyment I get helps keep out all the rubbish that’s in my
head’; Georgina Bowen talks of her depression being alleviated by her painting,
revealing that ‘it has been very therapeutic for me, and very beneficial for my
health and well being’; Barbara Anne French’s art ‘fills up my time and via my
paintings I am transported into another world. A happier one’; Joan Sher says
that ‘in times of stress and worry I find it quite uplifting splashing around
with very bright colours’, while Trevor Whiting sums up the whole ethos of
Centrepieces by saying ‘working alongside such a diverse and friendly group of
artists… is helping me become more confident in both my own ability as an
artist and my self-esteem.’ Endearingly, John Exell is able to see the funny
side of his illness, wryly commenting that ‘the pot and acid didn’t help.’
And they are a diverse group: among
Centrepiece’s artists are a member of MENSA, a secretary, an engineer, a
textile designer, an IT technician and, apparently, a poultry maid. And now me,
I guess: a graphic designer and sometime writer on popular culture, feeling a
bit lost after having to abandon the idea of moving out of London
If you can, please visit The Stables
exhibition. I think you’ll be inspired, moved and enlightened too. And you may
well decide to join up.
Centrepieces
Website:
www.centrepieces.org
Email:
info@centrepieces.org
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| A movingly diverse exhibition (Image: RF) |
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